Hammerhold Tales: Thrallborn

Chapter Three

Sawain marveled at the heroes that stood before him. The dwarf was broad and muscular. He wore black dwarven platemail that moved as naturally as his own body. The geometric shapes and angles of the armor made him look like a walking monument. His maul was made of the same black steel. Its oaken shaft had dwarven runes carved into it. They shimmered like ice when the sunlight hit them. He wore no helmet. His beard and hair were an icy blue and white color. Strands of his beard were woven into intricate braids. He was a truly impressive hero.

The elf was tall and slender, as is the average build for elves, yet he looked stronger than the typical member of his race. He wore a sleeveless leather jerkin that revealed well toned arms. Blades of grass and leaves were woven into the jerkin to provide camouflage. His dark brown, shoulder-length hair was wild and unkempt. Dirt covered his tan skin, which helped him blend into his surroundings. His eyes were as wild as the rest of his appearance. They were large and the color of amber. They glistened as he constantly scanned his surroundings. He wore a brown cloak that was covered in clumps of grass and rocks. His leather boots had pieces of bark attached to them. His weapon of choice was a beautiful yew-wood longbow. The shaft of the bow took on the appearance of an ornate snake. The serpent's tail coiled around the bottom end, holding the bowstring firmly. Its fanged maw clenched the other end of the bowstring and pulled it tight. His entire bow gave off a magical aura that shimmered in the sunlight.

The human was clearly a sorceress. She wore long, flowing purple robes that had black flames embroidered into the seams. Her long hood covered most of her face. She twirled a silver dagger in her hand. The blade was of a wavy design. It came to a straight point. The hilt was also silver. The pommel of the hilt was the head of a dragon. In its mouth, it held a large sapphire. The sorceress' garb was much less intricate than that of her counterparts. Perhaps, Sawain thought, Her intricacies are in her magic, not her clothes.

The halfling was the most curious of the entire ensemble. He wore armor that shone like a pearl. Intricate white platemail covered his entire body. Colors danced around it when the sunlight shone upon it. It was unlike the dwarf's ensemble. The plates that protected him sported a more rounded build and much less angular. It was trimmed with gold and gleaming white chain mail covered the gaps of his armor. He wielded a short sword that looked to be made of the same material. Though it would be a large knife to Sawain, it was a mighty longsword to the halfling. His buckler was also more of a full shield than a buckler to him. The shield was made of the same white steel and bore a gold emblem of seven stars in a circle. Sawain thought he looked like a miniature knight, like the ones he heard stories of from Jordborg.

The dwarf sauntered up to the thralls and surveyed the chains that bound them. He grabbed a length of chain and tugged firmly on it a few times. He nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm, yep, this is human craftsmanship. Should be easy to break. Looks like they've been exposed to the elements too long. They're all rusty. I can take these apart pretty easily, but I'm gonna need some heat. Kyra, ye think ye could assist me with yer faerie fire, lassie?"

The sorceress sidled up to the dwarf. She scanned the chains and looked around for kindling.

"What, do you want me to start you a turf fire or something? If I try to melt the chain, I might cook some of these people."

People. This was the first time in Sawain's life he was counted as a person and not as a thrall. Maybe his birthday wish was about to come true!

"Ye don't have a spell that just heats metal?"

Kyra shrugged, "I prepared for a fight. I didn't think I would need to heat metal today."